Easily assemblable furniture, such as a desk

ABSTRACT

A piece of furniture comprising a main rectangular plate having two side plates pivotably connected to the main plate at its opposite ends. The main plate has a length at least as long as the two side plates. The side plates are pivotably movable from a first folded position in a plane parallel to the main plate to a second deployed position in which the side plates are perpendicular to the main plate. A fourth auxiliary plate is pivotably connected to the main plate for movement about an axis parallel to the long sides thereof between a first folded position in a plane parallel to the main plate and a second deployed position in which it forms right angles with the main plate and the two side plates. The piece of furniture can be used as a desk in which case a box of drawers is secured in the quadrangular space formed by the main plate, the auxiliary plate and one side plate. The piece of furniture can also be used as a storage unit such as a bookcase or filing cabinet in which case shelves are secured to the side plates.

Jit States Tenani Uet. 11, 11974 EASILY ASSEMBILABLE FURNITURE,

[73] Assignee: lnterburo Holding, Geneve,

Switzerland 22 Filed: Apr.9, 1973 21 App1.No.:349,664

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data June 9, 1972 Italy 12713/72 [52]US. Cl 3112/195, 16/135, 108/131 [51] lint. Cl A4710 117/00 [58] Fieldof Search ..312/195;108/129, 131; 16/128 R, 135

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 127,484 6/1872 Hirsh 108/1311,700,203 l/1929 Baker 312/195 2,259,145 10/1941 Waldo... 312/1953,650,562 6/1970 Adler 312/195 3,663,079 5/1972 Borsani 312/195 PrimaryExaminer-James C. Mitchell Attorney, Agent, or FirmWaters, Roditi,Schwartz & Nissen [5 7] ABSTRACT A piece of furniture comprising a mainrectangular plate having two side plates pivotably connected to the mainplate at its opposite ends. The main plate has a length at least as longas the two side plates. The side plates are pivotably movable from afirst folded position in a plane parallel to the main plate to a seconddeployed position in which the side plates are perpendicular to the mainplate. A fourth auxiliary plate is pivotably connected to the main platefor movement about an axis parallel to the long sides thereof between afirst folded position in a plane parallel to the main plate and a seconddeployed position in which it forms right angles with the main plate andthe two side plates. The piece of furniture can be used as a desk inwhich case a box of drawers is secured in the quadrangular space formedby the main plate, the auxiliary plate and one side plate. The piece offurniture can also be used as a storage unit such as a bookcase orfiling cabinet in which case shelves are secured to the side plates.

7 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDHETF 18M 3,838,902

sum 10F 27 EASILY ASSEMBLABLE FURNITURE, SUCH AS A DESK BRIEF SUMMARY OFTHE INVENTION The invention relates to furniture and particularly butnot exclusively to a desk or storage unit or the like.

The furniture according to the invention is characterized by a main,rectangular, face plate having opposite ends to which two side platesare respectively pivotably connected. The main plate is at least as longas the two side plates. The side plates are pivotably movable from afirst position in which they are retracted and lie against the mainplate to a second position in which the side plates formright angleswith the central plate. A fourth auxiliary plate is pivotably connectedto the main plate and can occupy a first position in which it isinterposed between the side plates and the main plate in a planeparallel thereto and a second deployed position in which it forms rightangles with the three other plates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The attached drawing shows anembodiment, with variations, of a piece of furniture according to theinvention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the parts of a desk in a collapsedstate;

FIG. 2 shows the desk in the course of deployment;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of part of the assembled desk;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the assembled desk;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the desk in its position of use;

FIGS. 6-l0 are cross-sectional views showing details of assembly ofportions of the desk; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a portion of a modification of thedesk to enable the same to serve as a storage unit as well. DETAILEDDESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1, therein is shown a desk in foldedcondition for storage or shipping or the like, and the desk comprises amain rectangular plate I which constitutes the top of the desk, twolateral side plates 2 and 3 pivotably connected to plate 1 at its sideedges and folded flat thereagainst, and an auxiliary plate 4 connectedto plate 1 for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to one of thelongitudinal edges of plate 1.

These plates in the folded or collapsed state are all arranged inparallel relation and the plate 4 is folded against the main plate 1after which the side plates are folded against the plate 4.

FIG. 2 shows the different plates in the course of unfolding and FIG. 3shows the plates in their final deployed positions. In FIG. 3 it can beseen that the side plates 2, 3 form right angles with plate 1 whileplate 4 forms right angles both with plate 1 and plates 2 and 3. In FIG.3 there are also shown hinges 5 and 6 and it also can be seen that plate4 is spaced from the longitudinal edge of plate 1 but extends parallelthereto. It is equally possible to pivotably attach plate 4 to plate 1at the very edge of the latter. The hinges 5 and 6 include respectivearms which are embedded in their associated plates to be flush therein.

In FIG. 3 there is also seen a box 7 of right parallelepiped shape withdrawers 8 and 9 which box is secured in the quadrangular space boundedby plates ll. 2 and 4 directly beneath the plate I.

The plate l is provided with holes 10, and a longitudinal slot I] isformed in plate 4 to enable the mounting of the box 7 as shown in FIG. 9and as will be explained more fully later.

If desired. a box of drawers can be mounted at both sides of the deskrather than only at one as shown in FIGS. 3-5, and moreover. it is alsopossible to mount one or more boxes of drawers at other locations belowthe plate 1.

FIG. 4 shows the finished desk on its back. and FIG. 5 shows the disk inupright position ready for use.

In FIG. 6 there can be seen the details of the hinges of the side platesto the main plate, these hinges being so constructed that when the sideplates are folded parallel to plate 1 a space is provided for the foldedauxiliary plate 4. These hinges comprise a fixed portion 12 destined tobe fixed to the plate 1 optionally. partly or completely embedded in thethickness thereof, and a hinged portion of right-angle shape with onearm 13 attached to its respective side plate 2 or 3 in the same manner.

The other arm 14 of the rignt-angle hinge portion is pivotably connectedat its free end to portion 12 and is adapted to be received in a recessformed by a slot in portion 12. In the folded position of the associatedside plate, the right-angle shaped hinge portion assumes the position asshown in chain-dotted lines in FIG. 6 and as evident therefrom the sideplate is held in spaced relation from plate 1 thereby to accommodateplate 4. In the deployed position, the side plate forms a right anglewith plate 1 due to the right angle shape of the hinge portion.

The portion 12 is provided with holes 15 for receiving attachment screwsor the like to secure portion 12 to plate 1. The arm 13 is provided withribs 16 having holes therethrough for receiving attachment screws or thelike to secure the arm 13 to its corresponding side plate 2 or 3 at itsouter surface.

FIG. 7 shows a part of side plate 2 and auxiliary plate 4 and, inparticular, the means by which they can be held in deployed position.Such means comprises a formed, clasp member 17 having one flangeembedded in plate 2, the other taking a support position against theinner face of plate 4. Projections 18 are fitted into a correspondinggroove in plate 2 and projections 19 engage in a corresponding groove inplate 4. The assembly is completed, with reference to the structureshown in FIG. 8, where member 17 can be seen, by the provision of a slot20 in the free edge of plate 4 in which slot, a tongue 21 is secured. inadvance to penetrate into a hole in plate 2 when the plate 4 has beenopened and projection 19 has entered the associated groove in plate 4.

Referring next to FIGS. 9 and 10, therein is shown the means by whichthe box of drawers can be secured to the desk, FIG. 9 showing the box 7without the drawers to permit the drawer guides to be seen.Additionally, FIG. 9 shows plates 2 and 4, but plate 1 has been removedto show hinge l2, 13, the position of plate 1 being shown inchain-dotted outline.

In FIGS. 9 and 10 there are seen two holes 22 in the box 7 which alignwith holes 10 in plate 1 when a projection 23 at the back of box 7 hasentered into slot 11 in plate 4. The box 7 has been foreshortened inFIG. 9 in order to show the projection 23 and the slot 11. In actuality,when the projection 23 is engaged in slot 11, this establishes therearward position of the box and the front face of the box lies flushwith the edges of plates 1 and 2. The holes 22 are aligned with holes atthis time and screws 24 can be inserted into the aligned holes to securethe assembly together. The holes 10 can be threaded, or preferablythreaded metal inserts can be secured in holes 10 and the screws 24 canhave wings so that engagement of screws 24 can be easily undertaken byhand. Hence. as can be seen. the entire assembly of the desk can besimply and rapidly effected without the necessity of a single tool.

The same is true of the variation shown in FIG. 11 where there is seen aportion of a storage unit with shelves, adapted, for example, to serveas a file cabinet or bookcase.

FIG. 11 shows a portion of plate 2 and on its internal face there isfixed a guide 25 of U-shape. A shelf 26 can be engaged in guide 25 bysimply sliding the same therein. The opposite end of shelf 26 is engagedin a corresponding guide (not shown) on the inner face of the oppositeplate 3 at the same height and parallel to guide 25.

If the finished piece of furniture is to be closed, for example, bysliding doors, these can be placed at the front of the shelves ingrooves 27 which terminate at tenons 28 which engage in guides 25.

Instead of grooves 27, there can be placed a pivotal board at the frontof shelf 26 which in folded state lies on shelf 26 and which is unfoldedbefore the shelf is installed.

What is claimed is:

1. A piece of furniture comprising a main rectangular plate havingopposite ends, two side plates pivotably connected to the main plate atsaid opposite ends, said main plate having a length at least as long asthe two side plates, said side plates being pivotably movable from afirst folded position in a plane parallel to the main plate to a seconddeployed position in which the side plates are perpendicular to the mainplate, and a fourth auxiliary plate pivotably connected to the mainplate for movement about an axis parallel to the long sides thereofbetween a first folded position in a plane parallel to the main plateand a second deployed position in which it forms right angles with themain plate and the two side plates, said auxiliary plate beingsuperposed on said main plate in the folded position and said sideplates being superposed on the auxiliary plate in their foldedpositions, first hinge means connecting each side plate with the mainplate, second hinge means connecting the auxiliary plate to the mainplate. the second hinge means including hinges constructed and arrangedto permit the auxiliary plate to be folded into the folded positionthereof flat against the main plate. the first hinge means beingconstructed and arranged to permit the side plates to be folded flatagainst the auxiliary plate which is now flat against the main plate.said first hinge means comprising a first flat hinge element embedded inthe main plate. and a second hinge element of right angle shapeincluding a first arm pivotably connected to the first element and asecond arm embedded in its associated side plate, said first hingeelement and said second arms being flush in their respective plates,said first hinge element having a slot therein in which said first armlies in the plane of said first hinge element when the side plate is indeployed position.

2. A piece of furniture as claimed in claim I comprising locking meansbetween said auxiliary plate and side plates for detachably securing thesame together in said deployed positions thereof.

3. A piece of furniture as claimed in claim 1 comprising a box of rightparallelepiped shaped adapted to be placed in the quadrangular spacebounded by the main plate, the deployed auxiliary plate and one deployedside plate, and means associated with said box for securing the same toat least one of said plates manually and without tools.

4. A piece of furniture as claimed in claim 3 wherein the securing meanscomprises manually tumable screws.

5. A piece of furniture as claimed in claim 3 wherein said auxiliaryplate is provided with a slot, said box having a rear projection whichis engaged in said slot when the box is placed in said quadrangularspace.

6. A piece of furniture as claimed in claim I wherein said side plateshave inwardly facing opposed surfaces in the deployed position, U-shapedchannels secured to the side plates in aligned position and a shelfslidably engageable in said channels.

7. A piece of furniture as claimed in claim 6 wherein said shelf hasgrooves in which sliding doors can be slidably received, said shelfhaving opposite ends with ten ons extending beyond said grooves, saidtenons being engagable in said U-shaped channels.

1. A piece of furniture comprising a main rectangular plate havingopposite ends, two side plates pivotably connected to the main plate atsaid opposite ends, said main plate having a length at least as long asthe two side plates, said side plates being pivotably movable from afirst folded position in a plane parallel to the main plate to a seconddeployed position in which the side plates are perpendicular to the mainplate, and a fourth auxiliary plate pivotably connected to the mainplate for movement about an axis parallel to the long sides thereofbetween a first folded position in a plane parallel to the main plateand a second deployed position in which it forms right angles with themain plate and the two side plates, said auxiliary plate beingsuperposed on said main plate in the folded position and said sideplates being superposed on the auxiliary plate in their foldedpositions, first hinge means connecting each side plate with the mainplate, second hinge means connecting the auxiliary plate to the mainplate, the second hinge means including hinges constructed and arrangedto permit the auxiliary plate to be folded into the folded positionthereof flat against the main plate, the first hinge means beingconstructed and arranged to permit the side plates to be folded flatagainst the auxiliary plate which is now flat against the main plate,said first hinge means comprising a first flat hinge element embedded inthe main plate, and a second hinge element of right angle shapeincluding a first arm pivotably connected to the first element and asecond arm embedded in its associated side plate, said first hingeelement and said second arms being flush in their respective plates,said first hinge element having a slot therein in which said first armlies in the plane of said first hinge element when the side plate is indeployed position.
 2. A piece of furniture as claimed in claim 1comprising locking means between said auxiliary plate and side platesfor detachably securing the same together in said deployed positionsthereof.
 3. A piece of furniture as claimed in claim 1 comprising a boxof right parallelepiped shaped adapted to be placed in the quadrangularspace bounded by the main plate, the deployed auxiliary plate and onedeployed side plate, and means associated with said box for seCuring thesame to at least one of said plates manually and without tools.
 4. Apiece of furniture as claimed in claim 3 wherein the securing meanscomprises manually turnable screws.
 5. A piece of furniture as claimedin claim 3 wherein said auxiliary plate is provided with a slot, saidbox having a rear projection which is engaged in said slot when the boxis placed in said quadrangular space.
 6. A piece of furniture as claimedin claim 1 wherein said side plates have inwardly facing opposedsurfaces in the deployed position, U-shaped channels secured to the sideplates in aligned position and a shelf slidably engageable in saidchannels.
 7. A piece of furniture as claimed in claim 6 wherein saidshelf has grooves in which sliding doors can be slidably received, saidshelf having opposite ends with tenons extending beyond said grooves,said tenons being engagable in said U-shaped channels.